episode_0013

Late at night.

A large tent is visible in the military camp.

It’s too big for ordinary soldiers to use.

The bright light shining from inside the tent hints that someone is inside.

“Hmm… what should I do…”

A middle-aged man inside the tent mutters.

King Johannes, the leader of the largest faction in the empire.

In his hand, a long piece of paper.

Neat writing is written on it.

Johannes gently places the paper he’s holding on the desk and taps the desk with his index finger.

-Tap… Tap…

“Esteb and Ephirus… not bad.”

A faint smile appears on King Johannes’ lips as he thinks that.

“Moreover, Princess Joy and my son are getting married… even though there is a 10-year age difference between them, as long as Princess Joy has the right to succession, my grandson may even aim for the throne in the future.”

-Tap… Tap…

The former emperor exerted his influence through the two territories.

He frequently held festivals loved by the empire’s people with the abundant resources from Ephirus, and helped the famine-stricken areas with food from Esteb.

It may not seem like much, but the former emperor gained the love of the empire’s people and bought the hearts of the suffering lords.

If that vast territory falls into the hands of the imperial faction, their power will undoubtedly grow stronger.

“Moreover… if the young lion marries the princess and dies without having a child, the situation will become even more advantageous.”

The Duke who assassinated the emperor.

It is also possible to put such a stigma on him.

“One regret is that Esteb and Ephirus… will have to be shared with other imperial families, right?”

If Johannes alone tries to take over that vast territory, surely others will not sit idly by.

They all seem to have gathered here for their own benefit, like a herd of wolves.

Johannes thinks that such people will not miss out on the huge rewards of Esteb and Ephirus.

He starts to stroke his chin with the hand that was tapping the table.

“It’s a shame… really a shame… if I only get that, I won’t have to play these faction games anymore…”

Although he has the title of the leader of the imperial faction, in reality, he is closer to an honorary position with no real power.

Because there are many powerful lords within the imperial faction.

“In times like this, I envy the anti-imperial faction…”

The powerful Duke Francesco and the lords who own medium to small-sized territories have gathered, making the Ryan family exert powerful influence for generations.

But Johannes thinks.

“It’s inevitable.”

Wasn’t the faction created by the emperor to control the state affairs stably an imperial faction?

It’s an old way of ruling that has been practiced by the emperors who have ruled before the current emperor.

That’s why… Johannes has a desire that others don’t know.

A desire to turn his own family, which has been following the emperor’s back for generations, into the imperial family of the empire…

“Even if I only get Princess Joy… it’s not impossible.”

In the end, the emperor who lost Esteb and Ephirus will only exist with hollow authority.

The power to control the imperial faction will also disappear.

So… when that time comes… he will personally… hunt down the young lion.

“I hope that day comes soon…”

With that thought in mind, he begins to write a note to Roman to advance the negotiations.

***

At a time when the sun is setting.

My head hurts.

The words are not coming in clearly, perhaps due to eye strain.

I lean my neck back against the chair as far as possible.

Do I have a fever?

I unconsciously sigh as I see the piles of documents that need to be processed by tomorrow on my desk.

“Phew… should I take a break for a bit?”

With that thought, I look out the window behind me.

I watch as the dim twilight begins to engulf the world, then I open the window.

The cool autumn breeze cools down my hot head.

Should I go for a walk after a long time?

Recently, negotiations with Congressman Alexander have been proceeding smoothly.

The general framework has been decided between me and Congressman Alexander, and the specific details will be determined by Agrippa and Congressman Alexander…

Thanks to that, I’ve been so busy trying to handle this chaotic situation on my own.

“Let’s… take a walk.”

With that decision in mind, I put on the jacket hanging on the coat rack.

-Swish…

-Creak!

As I open the door and step out of the room, the guards salute me.

“I’ll take a short walk and be back.”

With those words, I head outside the building.

The grand structure of the palace.

Although it looks splendid on the outside, there is a peaceful sanctuary within this palace that I find solace in.

Passing by several guards, I make my way out of the palace through the back gate.

Vast green grass.

A beautiful stone path laid out on the grass.

Rows of trees neatly lined up as if drawn with a ruler.

“Ah… so refreshing…”

I walk along the path, filling my lungs with the fresh air.

Did it rain in the morning?

The damp but not overly wet earth, the fresh scent of grass, trees, and the refreshing breeze clear my mind.

That’s how I stroll through the palace gardens.

Whenever I have a headache from work, I often find myself lost in contemplation while walking like this.

The cool breeze blowing at the moment.

It feels like the cool breeze is washing away all the stress I’ve accumulated so far.

If this place didn’t exist, I might have gone crazy…

That’s why this place in the palace is my favorite spot.

“Your Highness?”

Someone calls out to me, and I turn my head.

Long, slightly wavy gray hair.

Round red eyes, different from Theodora’s sharp ones.

I vaguely remember meeting her a few times, so I greet her.

“Princess Joy, isn’t it?”

“Yes…”

Her sad expression catches my eye.

She must be going through a lot. Losing her beloved family, stripped of the freedom she enjoyed so far.

But that’s inevitable. The current political situation is so unstable that someone might try to blame her for something and even attempt to assassinate her…

For the time being, including Theodora, all members of the royal family are under house arrest in the palace.

Feeling a little sorry… I open my mouth with that thought.

“Shall we take a walk for a while?”

“Really?”

Seeing Joy nod slightly in response to my words, I head towards her.

-Thud… Thud…

-Clack… Clack…

The sound of my military boots and her dress shoes hitting the stone floor creates a strange harmony.

Seems like I made a mistake?

From what I’ve heard, the curious Princess Joy often went outside the palace to enjoy new things.

New foods, clothes… She must have lived like that, so the current situation must be frustrating for her.

“Are you doing well?”

I ask, and Joy nods slightly in response.

“Yes… I’m doing well… Your Highness…”

She starts to say something but stops midway.

“Your complexion doesn’t look good… Is something wrong?”

With an awkward smile, I ask her.

“Haha… I’m just tired from handling the chaos.”

-Whooosh.

At that moment, the wind blows.

The wind tousles Joy’s beautiful hair.

“I see…”

With that, silence falls between us.

“Thank you for the funeral, I’m sure my sister would also be grateful to Your Highness…”

Internally, I nod my head.

That tough woman wouldn’t be grateful like that.

Joy probably doesn’t know what kind of person her sister was.

“And… Your Highness… um…”

Joy hesitates to speak.

I stop walking for a moment and look at Joy.

Seeing her slightly flushed face, I wonder.

Where does it hurt? She looks like she has a fever.

Seeing her outfit now, with only a thin dress on, I ask.

“Princess Joy, aren’t you feeling cold?”

“Yes…? Um… a little chilly.”

I nod in response and take off my jacket, draping it over her shoulders.

“Huh…?”

I look at her slightly surprised expression.

“The weather is getting colder. Let’s start heading back.”

“But… the Grand Duke must be feeling cold too, right? I’m fine…”

I shake my head in response.

“I’m a man, remember? I’ve trained in much colder places during my time at the military academy.”

It was true.

“The Grand Duke is… kind-hearted.”

I reply as if it’s nothing.

“Don’t mention it…”

“Once you realize how much the Grand Duke loves you, and what a warm person he is… you’ll agree to the marriage too.”

Joy’s sudden words leave me puzzled.

Do I… love Theodore? How can I possibly love a man consumed by power and vengeance?

Does she know my feelings, or has she misunderstood my gaze?

Blushing, I speak up.

“I heard from a maid recently! The Grand Duke… there’s a song going around in Romand that he’s been in love with you for so long…”

Ah… is she talking about that?

Spreading rumors to improve my image among the imperial citizens.

But I never expected it to come back like this.

If I deny it outright in this awkward situation…

It wouldn’t be a wise choice.

I need to appear innocent and dreamy to make people underestimate me.

So in that moment, I neither confirmed nor denied Joy’s statement.

But perhaps she took it differently.

Joy looks at me seriously and asks, “So you killed Valeran?”

It’s difficult to admit the truth to her innocent face.

“That… um…”

But maybe our pure princess has a different perspective…

“Oh… I understand! It’s a secret! I’ll be the only one who knows! Our family still doesn’t know…”

As we near the palace, a woman with gray hair similar to Joy’s appears.

“Joy! What are you doing there?!”

We hear the woman’s voice.

Not many can shout near the palace.

But when Joy and I turn to see where the voice is coming from, Theodore is glaring at us.

“Um… Princess… I’ll go ahead then.”

I say, watching Joy head towards Theodore.

What should I do… should I let her go like that?

For a brief moment, our eyes meet… just for a moment.

And then I watch as Joy is led into the palace by Theodore.

Well… it’ll work out somehow.